Filtering and extraction technology by Höcker Polytechnik cleans modern recycling centre in Croatia of dust

17.03.2016 08:00

But where people live and work, there is also waste to be disposed of. A mechanical-biological waste disposal centre has been in operation in the city’s surrounds since 2014. The waste and refuse from the region is treated and prepared here according to high European standards, or disposed of.

The pan-European contracting company Helector S.A. acting in Waste Management business, designed and built this innovative recycling centre as the general contractor. When dealing with issues of dust removal and filter technology, Helector could fully rely on the experience and expertise of the internationally operating company Höcker Polytechnik GmbH based in Lower Saxony, Germany, named as subcontractor for the dedusting systems of the MBT plant. The experts for ventilation systems planned and built the optimum dust removal solution for the Rijeka project.

It was not the first joint project. After completing projects in Germany and Cyprus, this productive collaboration now continues in Croatia. Helector conceptualises and manages the overall project and has an experienced technology partner in Höcker Polytechnik at its side. This teamwork has again produced exemplary results in Rijeka.

The latest dust removal technologies

The dust extraction and filter system of the mechanical-biological waste sorting plant in Rijeka operates fully automatically. Filter regeneration takes place via a differential pressure-dependent jet system. At the core driving the dust extraction plant of the recycling process is the proven MultiStar filter unit with a capacity of 80,000 m³/h. A variable speed fan with 132 kW capacity mounted on the clean air side provides the required suction power for more than 30 dust extraction points in the production operation. Each extraction point can be easily adjusted with the bypass slide from Höcker.

In the words of the Höcker Polytechnik project manager Thorsten Czirr: “Following a request of General Contractor Helector S.A., we were directly involved in the planning of the dedusting systems from the start of the project. So we were able to easily incorporate our technical knowledge and safely master subsequent problem areas. Our experienced Höcker Polytechnik fitters installed our equipment and were supported by local Croatian professionals. The close and friendly cooperation with the Helector team went especially smoothly. The most important thing is always the satisfaction of our customer and I am therefore particularly pleased that we would be building another plant of this type jointly with Helector in Pula this year.”

Recycle with safety

The issue of safety has been excellently addressed in Rijeka. The extremely strict ATEX regulations have of course been complied with in this dust extraction plant and comprehensive safety features have been integrated. Starting with the use of the certified, pressure-shock-tested and temperature-controlled MultiStar filter unit, tested swing check valves, residual-dust-monitored clean air, automatic extinguishing equipment through to filter discharge via Dekra Exam-tested and certified rotary valves and other ATEX-compliant discharge devices.

Naturally, the entire system is PLC controlled. The Höcker controller is connected to the central Helector controller using PROFIBUS technology. This gives plant management access to the consumption history or the current rate of utilisation at any time. Some of this information can be called up directly on the controller via touch panel.

Powerful dust extraction

An equally practical as convenient extra provides the premises in Rijeka with clean corridors and machinery – the central dust extraction system. Evenly distributed in the production building, sensor-monitored dust extraction ports have been installed at 16 distinctive points. The system starts automatically when the dust extraction port is actuated. A 15 kW rotary blower with a suction capacity of 32,000 Pa works in the background. This fan is also part of an ATEX-compliant filter system. This provides every dust extraction port with enormous suction power – dust and dirt do not stand a chance.

This recycling centre is a precise and professionally skilful accomplishment by Helector and Höcker. The plant is currently running in the hot-commissioning stage and serves as the technical basis for further Helector waste centres. Another Helector plant with nearly identical technologies from Höcker Polytechnik will go into operation in Pula at the beginning of 2016.